Murdoch University Research Repository

Welcome to the Murdoch University Research Repository

The Murdoch University Research Repository is an open access digital collection of research
created by Murdoch University staff, researchers and postgraduate students.

Learn more

Synergetic use of biochar and synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers to improves maize productivity and nutrient retention in loamy soil

Tools

Minhas, W.A., Hussain, M., Mehboob, N., Nawaz, A., Ul-Allah, S., Rizwan, M.S. and Hassan, Z. (2020) Synergetic use of biochar and synthetic nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers to improves maize productivity and nutrient retention in loamy soil. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 43 (9). pp. 1356-1368.

Link to Published Version: https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2020.1729804
*Subscription may be required

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of biochar on maize production and nutrient retention with recommended full and half dose of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrition in loamy soil. In the first study, maize was grown in pots with four levels of biochar (0, 2, 4, and 6 t ha−1) under two levels of NP fertilizer, viz. recommended (200–150 kg NP ha−1) and it’s half (100–75 kg NP ha−1) dose. The prominent improvement in plant roots traits, leaf area, plant growth, morphological and yield-related parameters were observed with addition of biochar at 2 and 4 t ha−1; while, plant height, number of grains per cob, grains and biological yield decreased with biochar addition 6 t ha−1 along with full dose of NP nutrition. In subsequent field studies, two levels of biochar along with control (0, 2, 4 t ha−1) were investigated. The more improvement in root growth, leaf area and crop growth was observed when biochar was applied at 2 t ha−1 with full NP nutrition. Biochar application at 2 t ha−1 with full NP nutrition produced the highest grain yield (6.64 t ha−1); however, biochar addition (2 t ha−1) with half NP nutrition resulted in better grain yield than full dose of NP to enhance maize production as compared with full dose of NP without biochar. Therefore, biochar addition (2 t ha−1) with half-recommended dose of NP prominently improved the maize productivity in loamy soil and serve as better in replacement of full dose of NP fertilizer.

Item Type: Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s): Agricultural Sciences
Publisher: Marcel Dekker Inc.
Copyright: © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
URI: http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/55051
Item Control Page Item Control Page